Odometer fraud, or mileage rollback, is when a seller winds back the odometer to make a car look less used and worth more. It is illegal, and it costs American buyers an estimated billion dollars or more every year. Here is how to catch it.
Check the recorded mileage history
Every time a car changes hands or passes a state inspection, the mileage is often recorded. A vehicle history report plots these readings. If a later reading is lower than an earlier one, or the numbers jump around, that points to a rolled-back or replaced odometer.
Match the mileage to the wear
- Worn pedals, a shiny steering wheel and a sagging driver's seat on a car claiming very low miles.
- Tire wear and replacement stickers that do not match the odometer.
- Oil-change and service stickers or records showing higher mileage than the dash.
- A digital odometer that has been tampered with can still be caught by the recorded history.
Cross-check the paperwork
Service records, past inspection certificates and the title itself often list mileage. If the title shows a mileage that is higher than the current reading, walk away. You can also verify recorded readings against the VIN.
Before you buy: run a free VIN check to see the specs, open recalls and safety ratings for the exact vehicle, then decide whether a full history report is worth it. Check a VIN.